Switch



Oct. 4, 1966 J. MACHTS ET AL. 3,276,274

SWITCH Filed Feb. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jnvenfors: Joachim NqnHa Hehnut Lid'he Lofi'mr 3 km e art R m I" irsen Seebeck.

Oct. 4, 1966 J. MACHTS ETAL SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1964 er} a r 2k 5321 :Ma i 0 RITDRNEVS Oct. 4, 1966 J. MACHTS ETAL 3,276,274

SWITCH Filed Feb. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jnvenfors Jocwhim He 'nui [Awerlbert Eunmer Lirgen.

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United States Patent 3,276,274 SWITCH Joachim Machts and Helmut Liithe, Hannover, Lothar Biihm, Arnum, Hannover, Heribert Riirnmer, lngolstadt, and .Eiirgen Seebeck, Zuchering, Germany, assignors to Telefrrnken Patentverwertungs G.m.b.H., Ulm (Danube), Germany Filed Feb. it), 1964, Ser. No. 343,575} Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 8, 1963, T 23,447; Sept. 25, 1963, T 24,781 24- Clairns. (Cl. 74-Itl.27)

The present invention relates to the switching art, and, more particularly, to a push-button or slide-type switch for use, primarily, in the telecommunication field.

Switches of the above type comprise, conventionally, a number of stationary selector buttons which are arranged next to each other, each of which buttons is provided with a non-symmetrically mounted adjusting or positioning element, the arrangement being such that when, with the push button being depressed, the positioning element is rotated throughout 180, a flat bar is shifted to the right or left, thereby to tune the radio receiver, television receiver, or other piece of communication equipment, to the desired frequency. Switches of this type have the drawback that they are relatively expensive and complicated, and it is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a push-button type switch which is of simple and rugged construction, which allows a station to be switched in easily, and which is inexpensive to mass-produce.

With the above objects in view, the present invention resides basically, in a switch in which the force is transmitted from the push button to the actual switching mechanism by means of a switching rocker whose pivot axis is transverse to the direction in. which the push button is displaced, the push button incorporating a rotatable sleeve which is provided with diametrically opposite steps, the latter coacting with parts of the rocker lying on both sides of the pivot axis.

The invention further resides in providing the switch with a fine tuning mechanism which includes a knob carried by each push button, this knob being connected to a spindle which is in threaded engagement with a nut member carrying a catch which, in turn, coacts with a tuning member, as will be described in more detail below.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a rear perspective view showing one embodiment of a push button arrangement according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front perspective view of the structure of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a rear perspective view showing another embodiment of a push button arrangement according to the present invention.

FIGURE 4 shows the coaction of certain ones of the parts of the embodiment of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing yet another embodiment of a push button arrangement according to the present invention, the same being particularly adapted for brand change-over purposes.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional side elevation of the structure shown in FIGURE 5.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIGURE 1 thereof in particular, the same shows a switching slide 1 provided at its front end with a push button 2 mounted for reciprocatory movement. When this push button 2 is depressed, i.e., pushed rightwardly as viewed in FIG- ice URE 1, the slide 1 is displaced in the direction of its length thereby toselect a given station. The changeover necessary to select a particular station is effected while the slide is in its depressed position; the slide, which here serves only to guide the push button, can also be used to carry out the switching. The mechanism for eflfecting the actual switching is not shown inasmuch as the same is conventional.

A tuning knob 3 is rotatably mounted in push button 2 for steplessly tuning the stations which are selected by pressing the push button 2. When this knob is rotated, a tuning spindle 4, extending alongside of the slide 1, is moved in the direction of its length. This spindle 4 coacts with a tuning element, shown symbolically at 5.

The push button 2 and the tuning knob 3 are surrounded by a sleeve 6 which, in the region where the sleeve surrounds the push button 2, is provided, on both sides, with step-like projections 7. These projections are so fashioned that, when the push button 2 is actuated, they come into engagement with a switching rocker 8 and rotate the same about a pivot axis 9 which, as shown in FIGURE 1, extends transversely to the direction in which the push button 2 is reciprooatable. The extent of the pivoting is determined by two feelers 16, 11., which are so arranged as to coact with the pair of steps 12, 13, or with the pair of steps 14, 15, or with the pair of steps 16, 17. Since the push button 2, while the .same is in its rest position, is located at the front of the rocker 8, the latter adapts itself to the steps when the push button 2 is depressed.

The sleeve 6 is rotatably mounted on the push button 2 such that one of the three pairs of steps can be brought into alignment and ultimately into contact with the feelers it), 11. In order to make it possible to obtain reproduceable settings of the sleeve 6, the push button 2 is provided with three longitudinally extending grooves I8, any one of which will, depending upon the angular position of the sleeve 6 on the push button 2, receive an inwardly extending projection 19 of the sleeve 6. The portion of the sleeve 6 which carries the projection 19 is resilient with respect to the remainder of the sleeve; in the illustrated embodiment the projection 19 is carried by an integral tongue 2th fiormed between two longitudinal parallel slits of the sleeve. The projection 19 thus cooperates with the grooves 18 to form a detent or indexing device, such that whenever the sleeve 6 is rotated with respect to the push button 2, the projection 19 moves out of the particular groove 18 within which it is located and, after rotation of the sleeve 6, snaps back into another one of the grooves.

The tuning knob 3 is so mounted on the push button 2 that when the push button is depressed, the tuning knob is at first moved in together with the push button but is then automatically moved back a certain distance in a direction opposite to that in which the button was depressed. The return spring for accomplishing this can be an element common to all of the push buttons or it can be as shown at (cf. FIGURES 1 and 6). The spring can be so designed that the distance which the tuning knob 3 is returned toward its original position is sufficient to facilitate manipulation thereof. However, the knob should not be rotatable in this intermediate position, so that an automatic fine tuning device A can be provided which is effective in this region. Thus, the fine tuning can not be changed manually in this position. In order to allow the time tuning to be effected by means of the knob 3, the same is pulled back to its original position, whereupon the automatic fine tuning is automatically put out of operation. When the push button is pressed in, the rocker 8, acting via an actuating member 21, operates the input circuit 22 of the equipment of which the switch is a part such that the same push button 2 can be used to select stations in three different frequency bands, e.g., Bands 1, III, and IV, these band designations being conventional, in European television broadcasting, to represent the following ranges: Band I designates a frequency range of 68 to 41 megacycles (wave length: 4.41 to 7.32 meters), Band III designates a frequency range of 2.23 to 174 megacycles (wave length: 1.35 to 1.72 meters), and Band IV designates a frequency range of 790 to 470 megacycles (wave length: 38 to 63.8 centimeters). Ba'nds I and III thus fall into the VHF (veryhigh frequency) range while Band IV falls into the UI-IF (ultra-high frequency) range, the VHF range being that portion of the frequency spectrum which is between 300 and 3,000 megacycles and the VHF range being that portion of the frequency spectrum which is between 30 and 300 megacycles. The tuning element can be so arranged as to act on those parts of circuit 22 which are to be actuated for operation in the selected frequency.

Rotation of the tuning knob 3 can be prevented by providing the outer surface of the knob with longitudinal fluting which is received in complementary longitudinal fluting within the sleeve 6; alternatively, the interior of the sleeve 6 may be provided with at least one inwardly extending projection reaching between adjacent fluting. The fluting on knob 3 serves to facilitate manipulation thereof.

The sleeve 6 is pushed, via the entity constituted by the inter-fitting push button 2 and knob 3, while the projection 19 slides in one of the grooves 18, until one or more hooks 23 snap in behind the rearward edge of the push button. The hooks 23 are resiliently fashioned, in the manner described above in conjunction with the projection 19. In rest position, the leading edges of the tuning knob and the sleeve 6 are co-planar with each other and serve as the handle for the manipulation of the push button 2.

FIGURE 2 shows a front view of a multiple-button set, there being a total of six buttons. Five of these buttons are shown in their respective rest position while the sixth button, namely, the rightwardmost button as viewed in FIGURE 2, is shown in depressed position, only a portion, of tuning knob 3- projecting out.

FIGURE 3 shows a push button housing 1131 provided with rotatable but axially non-displaceable tuning spindles 4. Each spindle 4 is threaded and carries a nut member 1&3 which is secured so as to be non-rotatable. The member 193 is displaceable on the spindle within a given range and which serves as a carrier for a locking flap or catch 104 which itself is provided with a resilient lug 105 and which is pivoted about its axis, in clockwise direction, by a wire spring 165a. A rocket 1% is so mounted that its lugs 111 7, 108 extend into the region within which the respective catch -4 is movable. Each push button has a slide 1 associated with it, which slide 1 has, within housing 101, abutments 110, 111. A push button 2 is stuck on each slide 1, which push button simultaneously serves as a mounting for the tuning knob 13, the latter being rotatable and axially displaceable with respect to push button 2. A coil spring 115 surrounds a portion of the shaft 114 of push button 3 and bears against a flange of the knob 3. A conical ring 114a is pressed onto a portion of the shaft 114- extending reanwardly out of the push button 2, which ring 114a, together with a leaf spring 116 mounted on the push button 2, serves as a latch for the tuning knob 3 when the push button is not depressed. A tripping or release plate 117, provided with an inclined portion, is also arranged in the region in which the leaf spring 116 is effective. The shaft 114 is connected to that end of the tuning spindle 4- which is directed toward the push button, this end extending beyond its bearing and being provided with a rectangular cross section so that the push button 2 is axially displaceable but not rotatable with respect to the tuning spindle 4. Also provided is a comb-like return element 118 which, when none of the push buttons is depressed, bears against the rear walls of the push buttons 2. The element 118 is guided by an axle 119 which is also mounted in the housing 101. A spring 120 is connected to the rocker 106 and provides a biasing force which tends to turn the lugs 107, 103, toward the catch of the push button which has been actuated, while a spring 121 is provided for resetting the push buttons.

With the parts in the position shown in FIGURE 3, the left-hand push button is shown in the actuated position, while the right-hand push button is in off position. Here, the rocker 106 with its lugs 108 bears against the catch 1M pertaining to the actuated push button, which catch lies against the face of the nut member 103, as a result of which the rocker is held in a definite position. Since all of the push buttons, in both on and off positions, are always in alignment with each other, the tuning knob 3 pertaining to the pushed in or on button projects outwardly from the respective push button, so as to allow the fine tuning to be carried out.

If, now, the right-hand push button is to be actuated, the mechanism operates as follows:

When pressure is exerted on the right-hand push button 2, the slide 1 pertaining to this push button will be displaced accordingly so that, as best shown in FIGURE 4, the abutment 110 pushes against the lug 107a thereby to ivot the same until the lug 1M, which passes close to the nut member 103, occupies, in whatever position the catch 104 happens to occupy on spindle 4, a position ahead of the catch 134. During this operation, the abutment 111 comes to bear against the resilient lug ass, as a result of which the catch 104 is rotated out of its retracted position and into its operating position, against the force of spring 105a, until it comes to bear against the surface of the nut member 103. As the push button is continued to be depressed, the slide 1 moves further in and the lug 105 slides along the side wall of the slide 1. Since the catch 104 has now been brought out of its oblique position into a position at right angles to the direction of movement of the lug 107, the catch now extends into the zone in which the lug 107 is effective, so that when the push button is released, the lug 107 pushes against the catch 104, as a result of which the rocker 106 is made to assume a position which depends on the position of the catch 10 on the tuning spindle 4. While the right-hand slide 1 is pushed in and the rocker 106 is being pivoted, the lug 198 is raised off the catch 104 of the left-hand push button, as a result of which the spring 1115a turns the catch 104 of the left-hand push button back into the oblique position, so that this last-mentioned lug 1% is once again outside of the region in which the lug 1118 is effective.

At the same time as the right-hand push button is actuated, the tuning knob 3 of the left-hand push button has to be retracted into the push button 2 and the tuning knob 3 of the right-hand push button, which is latched by the leaf spring 116 coacting with ring 114a, has to jump out of the push button. This is brought about by the fact that when the right-hand push button is depressed, the return element 118 is moved in the same direction, this element displacing the ring 114a, abutting at the left, together with the shaft 114, and hence the tuning knob 3, along the square portion of spindle 4, until the leaf spring 116 snaps in behind the ring 114a, as a result of which the tuning knob 3 is latched and remains in the push button 2. During this movement, the latching of the tuning knob 3 of the right-hand push button is released due to the fact that the leaf spring 116 slides along the oblique edge of the plate 117, as a result of which the leaf spring 116 is cammed downwardly to such an extent as to come out of engagement with ring 114a, whereupon the spring 115 can push the tuning knob 3 out of the push button 2 which has now returned to its original starting position. The tuning spindle 4 can now be turned by means of the tuning knob 3, which, as explained above, projects out of the push button 2, so that the rocker 106, whose flap 107 is motion-transmittingly connected to the spindle 4 via the nut member 103 and the catch 104, can be pivoted, within a given range, to any desired position, and this movement can be used, for example, to tune the input of, say, a television receiver to a desired frequency.

If one of the push buttons is an o -button (not illustrated) and if this button is then actuated, the tuning knob 3 of the push button last actuated will be returned into its push button 2 under the action of the comb-like return element 118.

It will be appreciated that any of the several pus-h buttons can be actuated in the above-described manner.

FIGURES 5 and 6 show a push button unit provided with a band change-over mechanism according to FIG- URE 1, by means of which a single push button can be used to tune a receiver to a desired frequency within any one of, for example, three frequency bands.

In this embodiment, the push button 2 comprises an inner sleeve 112:: which is provided with a bulge 125 into which the slide 1 is inserted. The sleeve 6 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 112a, removal of the sleeve 6 being prevented by a resilient angle piece 126 which is provided with a spherical head, constituted, for example, by a rivet, capable of being received in openings 127, thereby to provide a detent mechanism providing the positions for the three bands, essentially as described above. The outer sleeve 6 is provided with three pairs of diametrically opposite steps 13, 15, 17; 17, 15, 13, which are angularly spaced apart the same as the detent openings 127, which steps are used to actuate the rocker. The step 15 is opposite step 15, while each step 13 is opposite a step 17. The step 13 is here constituted by the end face of the sleeve. The band change-over rocker comprises a frame 134 which spans all of the push buttons. This rocker is provided, in the region of each push button 2, with two feelers 10', 11', and is rotatably mounted on the switch housing 101. An actuating member 21' is connected to frame 134 via a connecting element 136, member 21 being an element which is connected, for example, to the input of a television receiver and is arranged to effect a band change-over. The tuning knob 3 is mounted on the inner sleeve 112a for axial and rotary movement relative thereto, this tuning knob being biased by spring 115. The leaf spring 116, which is preferably connected to the slide 1, prevents the knob from sliding out of the push button 2. The operation of the mechanism is, basically, the same as described above.

The band changeover mechanism operates as follows:

When the push button 2 is depressed, one of the steps, for example, the uppermost step 13, abuts against the corresponding feeler 11' and pivots the frame 134 inasmuch as the lower feeler 10' can reach down into the lowest step 17 which is opposite the upper and highest step 13. The actuating axle can, as the result of the pivotal movement of frame 134, change the band setting of the input. The push button thereafter returns to its starting position.

If, now a different band is to be selected, the outer sleeve 6 is first rotated into the desired position in which the ball-detent carried by element 126 comes to be received in another one of the openings 127. Consequently, when the push button is then depressed, another set of steps, namely, the steps 15, 15, or the steps 13, 17, will engage the feelers 1t), 11', and thereby bring about a movement of the frame 134 which, in turn, causes movement of the actuating member 21 coacting with the television input.

For manufacturing reasons, it may be desired to make not the lug 105 but the abutment 111 resilient. Also, the slides 1 can be mounted within the housing 101, in consequence of which the space can be made shorter by a length corresponding to the length of the stroke of the push button inasmuch as the rear ends of the slide 1 no longer project out of the rear wall of the housing 1111.

It will be seen from the above that the invention described above resides in a push button switch which is usable with a piece of communication equipment having a component operable in a plurality of frequency bands, which switch comprises a support on which a plurality of push buttons are mounted, each being arranged for reciprocatory movement relative to the support. Also provided are band change-over means arranged to coact with the component of the communication equipment. These band changeover means include a rocker mounted on the support for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is transverse to the direction in which the push buttons are reciprocable, as well as a plurality of sleeves, each mounted on a respective one of the push buttons. Each sleeve is rotatable with respect to its respective push button and is provided with a plurality of pairs of steps. The steps of each pair are diametrically opposite each other. The rocker has two parts which lie on opposite sides of the pivot axis and which coact, respectively, with the particular pair of steps which are in alignment with the parts. As explained above, any one of the pairs of steps may be placed in alignment with the mentioned parts of the rocker by rotating the sleeve about its respective push button. Furthermore, there are fine tuning means carried by each push button for tuning the piece of equipment to a certain station, i.e., frequenc, within the band to which the component is set by the band change-over means.

It will also be seen that, in one embodiment of the invention these fine tuning means include a second rocker which coacts with any one of the push buttons. To this end, each push button is provided with a tuning knob mounted in the push button for rotary movement relative thereto as well as for reciprocatory movement both with the push button and relative thereto. A tuning spindle-one for each push buttonis mounted on the support.

for rotational movement relative thereto, this spindle being secured against axial displacement relative to the support but being nonrotatably connected with the tuning knob. A catch is mounted on the tuning spindle for axial movement relative to the support upon rotation of the spindle, this catch being pivotable relative to the spindle between an operating position in which it is in engagement with the second rocker and a retracted position in which it is out of engagement with the second rocker. Also, there are means for moving the catch from its retracted to its operating position when the respective push button is actuated, thereby motion-transmittingly connecting the tuning knob of the actuated push button to the second rocker. Spring means continuously bias the tuning knob out of its respective push button, but latching means normally latch each tuning knob into its push button against the force of the spring means. These latching means are released upon actuation of the push button, in consequence of which the tuning knob of an actuated push button is, under the action of the spring means, forced out of its push button. Furthermore, there are means that are common to all of the push buttons and that are operative upon the actuation of a given push button for retracting the tuning knob of the previously actuated push button back into its respective push button.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A push button switch comprising, in combination: a support; a plurality of push buttons each mounted on said support for reciprocatory movement relative thereto; band change-over means including a rocker mounted on said support for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is transverse to the direction in which said push buttons are reciprocable, and a plurality of sleeves, each mounted on a respective one of said push buttons, each sleeve being rotatable with respect to its respective push button and being provided with a plurality of pairs of steps, the steps of each pair being diametrically opposite each other, said rocker having two parts lying on opposite sides of said pivot axis and coacting, respectively, with the particular pair of steps which are in alignment with said parts, whereby any one of said pairs of steps may be placed in alignment with said parts of said rocker by rotating said sleeve about its respective push button; and fine tuning means carried by each push button for tuning to a frequency within the band set by said band change-over means.

2. A push button switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said parts of said rocker are constituted by feelers coacting with said steps.

3. A push button switch as defined in claim 1, further comprising detent means coacting with said push button and said sleeve for indexing the position of said sleeve on said push button to angular positions corresponding to said pairs of steps, said detent means including a plurality of grooves formed in said push button, corresponding in number :to the number of pairs of steps and extending in the direction of reciprocatory movement of said push button, and an inwardly projecting portion carried by said sleeve and engaging in any one of said grooves.

4. A push button switch as defined in claim 3 wherein said inwardly projecting portion is carried by a resilient portion of said sleeve.

5. A push button switch as defined in claim 4 wherein said resilient portion of said sleeve is constituted by a tongue formed between two longitudinal parallel slits of said sleeve.

6. A push button switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said fine tuning means comprise, for each push button, a tuning knob, said tuning knob, when the respective push button is in its nonactuated position, being interiorly of said push button and, upon actuation of said push button, being movable therewith into the actuated position, there being means for returning said tuning knob to its original position upon release of said push button, in which original position said tuning knob now projects exteriorly of said push button.

7. A push button switch as defined in claim 6 wherein said tuning knob is movable into an intermediate position in which said knob is non-rotatable relative to said push button.

8. A push button switch as defined in claim 7 wherein the outer surface of said tuning knob is provided with longitudinal fiutting and wherein said sleeve is provided with at least one inwardly extending projection reaching between adjacent fluting, thereby to provide means for preventing rotation of said knob with respect to said sleeve while said projection coacts with said flut-ing.

9. A push button switch as defined in claim 7, and automatic fine tuning means operable when said tuning knob is in said intermediate position.

11?. A push button switch as defined in claim a wherein said turning knob, in said intermediate position, projects out of said push button a distance sufiicient to enable said knob to be manually graspable for pulling out, and means for deactivating said automatic fine tuning means when said tuning knob is pulled out of its intermediate position.

11. A push button switch as defined in claim 1, further comprising means operable upon actuation of one of said push buttons for retracting the tuning knob of the previously actuated push button into its push button and for latching such tuning knob into such push button.

12. A push button switch as defined in claim 11 wherein said last-mentioned means for latching the tuning knob of a non-actuated push button into its respective push button comprises a ring carried by such tuning knob and a spring carried by such push button and cooperating with said ring.

Cit

13. A push button switch as defined in claim 12, further comprising means for un-latching the tuning knob when the corresponding push button is actuated, said unlatching means comprising a releasing element arranged in the path of said spring for moving the same out of engagement with said ring.

14. A push button switch as defined in claim 1 Wherein said band change-over means further include a changeover element connected to said rocker, the latter coacting with the steps of the sleeves of all of said push buttons.

15. A push button switch as defined in claim 1 Wher in said pairs of steps include at least three pairs, one step of each pair being located on one side of said sleeve and the other step of each pair being located on the opposite side of said sleeve; the highest step on said one side being diametrically opposite the lowest step on said other side, the middle step on said one side being diametrically opposite the middle step on said other side, and the lowest step on said one side being diametrically opposite the highest step on said other side.

16. A push button switch as defined in claim 1 wherein each push button includes an inner knob on which the respetcive stepped sleeve is rotatably mounted.

17. A push button switch as defined in claim 16, fur- .ther comprising indexing means for fixing the angular position of each stepped sleeve relative to the respective inner knob in accordance with said pairs of steps, said indexing means comprising resilient spring means having an indexing head and carried by said sleeve and angularly spaced apart receiving means for receiving said indexing head.

18. A push button switch comprising, in combination: a support; a plurality of push buttons each mounted on said support for reciprocatory movement relative thereto; a rocker mounted on said support for pivotal movement about a pivot axis; each of said push buttons further having associated With it a tuning knob mounted in the push button for rotary movement relative thereto as well as for reciprocatory movement both with said push button and relative to said push button, a tuning spindle mounted on said support for rotational movement relative thereto, said spindle being secured against axial displacement relative to said support, said spindle being non-rotatably connected with said tuning knob, a catch operatively mounted on said tuning spindle for axial movement relative to said support upon rotation of said spindle, said catch being pivotable relative to said spindle between an operating position in which it is in engagement with said rocker and a retracted position in which it is out of engagement with said rocker, means for moving said catch from its retracted to its operating position when the respective push button is actuated, thereby motion-transmittingly connecting the tuning knob of said actuated push button to said rocker, spring means continuously biasing each tuning knob out of its respective push button, latching means for latching each tuning knob into its push button against the force of said spring means, and means for releasing said latching means upon actuation of said push button, in consequence of which the tuning knob of an actuated push button is, under the action of said spring means, forced out of its push button; and means common to all of said push buttons and operative upon the actuation of a given push button for retracting the tuning knob of the previously actuated push button back into its respective push button.

19. A push button switch as defined in claim 18 wherein each push button is mounted on a slide which itself is slidably mounted on said support, said slide having an abutment coacting with a lug of said catch to cam the latter out of its retracted position and into its operating position upon actuating of the respective push button.

20. A push button switch as defined in claim 19 Wherein said lug of said catch is resilient.

9 10 21. A push button switch as defined in claim 18 where- 24. A push button switch as defined in claim 18, furin said catch is pivotally mounted on a nut member which ther comprising spring means coasting with said rocker is in threaded engagement with said tuning spindle and for biasing the Same into engagement With Such Catch secured against rotation. as is in S Operating Position- 22. A push button switch as defined in claim 21, fur- 5 ther comprising spring means interposed between said References Cited by the Examiner nut member and said catch for biasing the latter into said UN E STATES PATENTS re r p i i n thereof. 72,242,287 5/1941 Cohen et al. 7410.29 23. A push button switch as defined in claim 18 where- 2,367,860 1/1945 Gersch 74-1033 in the tuning knob of an actuated push button extends beyond the end face of such push button. MILTON KAUFMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PUSH BUTTON SWITCH COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A SUPPORT; A PLURALITY OF PUSH BUTTONS EACH MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR RECIPROCATORY MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO; BAND CHANGE-OVER MEANS INCLUDING A ROCKER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A PIVOT AXIS WHICH IS TRANSVERSE TO THE DIRECTION IN WHICH SAID PUSH BUTTONS ARE RECIPROCABLE, AND A PLURALITY OF SLEEVES, EACH MOUNTED ON A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID PUSH BUTTONS, EACH SLEEVE BEING ROTATABLE WITH RESPECT TO ITS RESPECTIVE PUSH BUTTON AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF STEPS, THE STEPS OF EACH PAIR BEING DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE EACH OTHER, SAID ROCKER HAVING TWO PARTS LYING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PIVOT AXIS AND COACTING, RESPECTIVELY, WITH THE PARTICULAR PAIR OF STEPS WHICH ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID PARTS, WHEREBY ANY ONE OF SAID PAIRS OF STEPS MAY BE PLACED IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID PARTS OF SAID ROCKER BY ROTATING SAID SLEEVE ABOUT ITS RESPECTIVE PUSH BUTTON; AND FINE TUNING MEANS CARRIED BY EACH PUSH BUTTON FOR TUNING TO A FREQUENCY WITHIN THE BAND SET BY SAID BAND CHANGE-OVER MEANS. 